Hosauer, Sigmund (d. 1564)

Sigmund Hosauer (also Hasauer or Hassauer) was a preacher in the Hutterite brotherhood. In 1555 he witnessed the martyrdom of Hans Pürchner of Saalen near Bruneck, who was seized at Kortsch near Schlanders in the Adige Valley, and was so severely racked during his trial that he was unable thereafter to use his hands or feet, and was finally beheaded. His death was commemorated by Hosauer in the hymn of 44 stanzas, "Fröhlich wollen wir singen jetzt," which describes all the details of the torture and death. It is found in the Lieder der Hutterischen Brüder, 436-441. Here are also three other hymns by Hosauer (pp. 446-450): "Hör, o Himmel, und Erd merk auf," 18 stanzas; "Mein Sinn dahin steht alle zeit bereit," 11 stanzas; "Merk auf, o Gott, lass dir mein Stimm," 9 stanzas. In 1557 he was called as preacher; he received a final greeting of the martyr Klaus Felbinger, and died in 1564 at Gostal in Moravia.